One person has died following a fire and two explosions Friday at a New York City shipyard, officials reported. The incident left 36 people injured, most of them firefighters and other first responders, with one civilian fatality at the scene.
Details of the Incident
According to officials, a firefighter and a fire marshal were inside a structure when a second explosion occurred, both sustaining serious injuries from the blast's shock wave. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani described it as a complex, fast-developing emergency situation during a Friday evening news conference.
Multiple calls to the fire department came in around 3:30 p.m., reporting smoke and two workers trapped in the basement of a 150-foot by 150-foot metal structure at the rear of the shipyard, Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. Firefighting and EMS crews arrived within six minutes, but shortly after, an explosion caused serious injuries to several fire department members and a few civilians, including one who died at the scene.
Second Explosion and Injuries
Five firefighters and rescue paramedics were searching for the trapped workers inside, on top of, and next to the structure when the second blast occurred, said Chief of Department John Esposito, leading to more injuries. The most severe injuries were to a fire marshal and a firefighter who were inside and hit by the energy wave from the blast.
“Confined spaces are very dangerous operations for any rescuers,” Esposito stated. The fire marshal is in critical but stable condition with a fractured skull and a small brain bleed, according to the fire department's chief medical officer, Dr. David Prezant. “We will be watching him very carefully over the next 24 hours to make certain there is not subsequent brain swelling. As long as there is not, he should do well,” Prezant said.
The firefighter was in serious condition upon arrival at the hospital but was reported to be doing very well by Friday evening, under observation for potential muscle injuries.
Current Status
The fire was still burning but under control Friday night, with over 200 firefighters at the scene, Mamdani said. A comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire will commence as soon as possible. Witness Richard Oviogor told WABC-TV that he heard two explosions and what felt like a big shock wave.
The area houses several businesses, including a coffee roasting company and a self-storage facility. The shipyard was formerly owned by Bethlehem Steel Company, which constructed ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
